MovieChat Forums > The Docks of New York (1928) Discussion > Amazing film

Amazing film

posted 14 years ago by BarrisDarkly
6 replies | jump to latest

I'm not the biggest fan of silent films. I like a few, Charles Chaplin mainly, a few of the early shorts from the 1910's (especially Nursing a Viper). But for the most part it's a genre I, like most, pay little attention to.

That being said, I believe this is one of the best films ever made.

The camera is so fluid, the shots are so masterfuly and perfectly set up, the acting is probably the best I've seen of a silent film yet, and the writing is equally top notch.

A fine achievement of cinema. 10/10.

On the run from Johnny Law...Ain't no trip to Cleveland.

[–] thebigheat 14 years ago

watch more silent movies; some of them are really good.

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"Because a steppe is a steppe!"

[–] FANatic-10 12 years ago

The storyline may be hackneyed, but the atmosphere, cinematography and art direction are incredible! Fine acting too, with Bancroft better here than he was in "Underworld" and Betty Compson expressive and eloquent. Criterion is to be praised for a brilliant clean-up job on the print.

[–] JackBluegrass 11 years ago

True. I found the photography here to be beautiful; set lighting was a Sternberg specialty. Sharp B/W images with a well-planned and executed Robert Israel soundtrack on the DVD, of course.

The Criterion DVD of this includes a Swedish TV interview with Sternberg himself. The Criterion folks have introduced classic B/W silents to a whole new audience.

[–] DACREEPER 10 years ago

This movie was really good. Captured the grim nature of their existence very well. Dirty and dark.
Good performances as stated by others. Compson was terrific (and quite beautiful) and Bancroft as well.

It also stuck me a couple of times that this was obviously pre-code.
When she got on her knees to sew his shirt. A bit suggestive.
The naked lady tattooed on his arm complete with nibs no less!

Also my 5 year old commented on the cigarette smoking, "Oooh, Ick! That's nasty!"

[–] JackBluegrass 10 years ago

"Also my 5 year old commented on the cigarette smoking, "Oooh, Ick! That's nasty!"

You know that times have really changed, when cigarette smoking is seen by our future movie goers as the most notable degradation of society!

E pluribus unum

[–] Popcorngal (4360) 4 years ago

True, I have seen a few good silent gems over the years.